pic: 179 Progress

[Swampdude]

loading photo ...

[s_forbes]

Awesome concept! I love unique approaches like this, can't wait to see how it turns out. Also digging the tubular arm construction and spring loaded minibot deployment mechanism. Fits together nicely!

What's the weight of everything pictured?

[Rosiebotboss]

I think I would be worried about deformation of the plate at the attachement points of the tower. Are there plans to reinforce those areas?

[Swampdude]

It's extremely light, I'm guessing 50lbs right now. We're going to add 1x1 steel angle on the underside around the perimeter for ballast and strength. Maybe a couple lateral members in there as well if things look too flimsy. But it's pretty rigid as is, and the bumper corners will get beefed up. I just thought it made sense to take advantage of the bumper strength. Has anyone else done this before?

[David Guzman]

Very interesting,

I would personally be scared to do something like this because of high speed collisions, but if you add the 1x1 steel angle then it should be fine. Then again we tend to make our frames more beefy than they need to be .

I do love how easy it makes to work on the robot, and also easy to manufacture. Can't get much better than having a frame done after a water-jet run.

Also, I like the mini-bot deployment system. Does it just work using the weight of the mini-bot to compress the springs in the vertical position and then extend when horizontal?

Very cool concept Dan, can't wait to see it in person.


Is there a Swamp Scrimmage this year?

[Tytus Gerrish]

a student cut his thumb open the baseplate and got blood all over last night. its an omen for a great season.

[Swampdude]

Originally Posted by David Guzman

Also, I like the mini-bot deployment system. Does it just work using the weight of the mini-bot to compress the springs in the vertical position and then extend when horizontal?

Is there a Swamp Scrimmage this year?

Thanks Dave,

It's got a rotating latch that holds it upright and coiled, rotates 90 and releases. And I think we're doing the scrim, however I got an email from team 1543, and they are coordinating a "robot ruckus" scrim in Orlando on the 19th. I need to find out the plans. It would be nice to have a real scrim on a full field with more teams. But we'll announce ours soon if we're doing it on the 19th as well. Would you guys come?

[Chris is me]

That is an incredibly innovative use of bumpers.

[David Guzman]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

Thanks Dave,

Would you guys come?

Yes, most likely we will be able to make it this year. For the past 3 years we have had to finish our robots on that last weekend, but right now we are on schedule and should have a completed robot by then if all goes as planned.

Your place is only about 45 minutes from our place, but Orlando is a long drive for the team so I'm not sure we would go that far.

Last time we were there it was also Tubes for game pieces

[gopatterson]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

loading photo ...

What is the legal height of the bummper for this years competiton we were going on last years i think that said 10"

[rutzman]

Originally Posted by gopatterson

What is the legal height of the bummper for this years competiton we were going on last years i think that said 10"

The bumper zone this year is much lower: 1"-7"

[waialua359]

On bottom left portion of picture, minibot deployment via springs right?

[Swampdude]

Originally Posted by waialua359

On bottom left portion of picture, minibot deployment via springs right?

Hi Glenn,
Yes.... Boing, smack, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, ding ding ding, yay!

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

Hi Glenn,
Yes.... Boing, smack, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, ding ding ding, yay!

[Swampdude]

Here's a 1.8 second run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnCfXzmwe6o

And here's the 1 second deployment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2HWZeGKp5I